The Dodgers came into 2010 trying to finish in first place for a third consecutive season for the first time in franchise history.

They enter 2011 trying to avoid back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1986-87.

History shows the Dodgers have been pretty good at rebounding. In fact, their fourth-place finish in 2010 is a good omen. They finished fourth in '07 and first in '08. They were fourth in '05 and first (tied) in '06. They were fourth in 1993 and first in '94. They were fourth in '87 and not only finished first in '88, but won the World Series.

Gurnick goes on to list ten questions for 2011 (27 fewer than Buster Olney had, albeit confined to only one team), none of which has a "likely outcome" answer that fills me with hope. Sigh.

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"In fact, their fourth-place finish in 2010 is a good omen. They finished fourth in '07 and first in '08. They were fourth in '05 and first (tied) in '06. They were fourth in 1993 and first in '94. They were fourth in '87 and not only finished first in '88, but won the World Series"

By this logic wouldn't it be good for 2011 to be another losing season and then win it all in 2012?